Neighborhood Helps Capture Burglary Suspect, Second Arrested & Third At Large

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office announces the arrest of two burglary suspects with a third suspect still at large, following a neighborhood interaction with one of the suspects.

Sheriff Daniel Edwards says on January 27, 2024, deputies responded to the Creekside Subdivision in Ponchatoula after a homeowner caught one suspect, identified as 27 year-old Zachary Lafleur, during the commission of a burglary at the homeowner's residence. The homeowner called for assistance from other neighbors, at which time he and Lafleur became engaged in a physical altercation.

A second homeowner, who's home Lafleur had burglarized just prior to the interaction, came to assist. Lafleur managed to get away and entered his truck, attempting to leave the area. One homeowner then discharged a firearm into the tires of Lafleur's vehicle, rendering it disabled, afterwhich Lafleur fled the area on foot. 

A third victim on Weighberger Road soon after heard an audible alarm from a residence behind their property. After being notified by neighbors of the subdivision of Lafleur fleeing the area, the third victim began walking their property and found Lafleur asleep in a truck. The third victim then held Lafleur at gunpoint until deputies arrived. It was later determined the audible alarm was emanating from a third residence Lafleur had attempted to burglarize in an attempt to hide.

While investigating the incident, a victim stated they were near the Discount Tobacco in Ponchatoula and observed a Uhaul pick-up truck which had been spotted in the Creekside Subdivision, and the occupants were selling items from the truck. Deputies responded to the area where they located items in the truck which had been taken from another burglary. While one of the occupants fled just before the deputies arrived, the second subject, identified as 37 year-old Amber Skelton, was taken into custody. 

The third suspect, who fled from the Uhaul, has been identified as 29 year-old Branson Monistere  and is wanted for Residential Burglary (3 counts), Vehicle Burglary, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things (Felony), and Failure to Appear. 

Sheriff Edwards asks anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Monistere to contact Detective Alex Nanni at 985-902-2017, OR if you wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s anonymous tip line at 1.800.554.5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! 

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office would also like to thank all of the victims and witnesses who assisted with this investigation. All property stolen from the Creekside Subdivision was recovered and returned to the victims.

***All persons accused of a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty***